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But Dante wasn’t looking at her face. His gaze was still locked on her neck—intense, hungry, as if the chain resting there had him under a spell.
He leaned in slowly, his breath warm against her throat, his lips barely skimming her skin. Then his tongue flicked beneath her ear—hot, wet, slow—trailing downward in a sinful line towardthe necklace. His other hand never let go of hers, grounding her while setting her ablaze.
Her fingers clenched around his, instinctively seeking something to hold on to. Her body trembled from the inside out, heat spiraling through her like liquid fire.
And still, he didn’t speak. He just breathed her in, tasted her skin, like he’d been starving for her and finally, finally had his first bite.
A sudden knock on the door shattered the moment.
Anya instantly jumped back, startled. Dante’s eyes flicked up, confused by the sudden retreat, but she quickly tucked her hair behind her ear and looked away, flustered.
"Mr. Kingsley?" a voice called from outside.
Dante’s jaw tightened, but he raised his voice reluctantly. "Come in."
A girl entered the office, hurrying over to the desk. "Sir, I need your signature." She placed a file down, then her eyes drifted toward Anya, and widened.
“Oh my God, that necklace is gorgeous!” she gushed, eyes wide with envy. “I have one just like it—but mine’s a cheap first copy.” She let out a playful giggle. “This one’s real, isn’t it? I can tell just by looking.” She leaned closer, voice dropping into a teasing whisper. “It must’ve cost hundreds of thousands. Did you buy it yourself, or did your boyfriend get it for you?”
Caught off guard, Anya quickly covered her neck. Then, almost panicking, she pulled the necklace off and slipped it into her pocket.
‘How could Luca give me such an expensive gift?’ she thought in disbelief. ‘I thought it was just a simple gold necklace, maybe a few thousand at most… not hundreds of thousands! And I’ve been wearing it out in the streets like it’s nothing?!’
Dante, who had watched the entire exchange in silence, straightened.
His eyes shifted sharply to Anya. That one word—boyfriend—made him stiffen at once.
“Where did the necklace come from, Anya?” Dante’s voice was calm but firm, eyes sharp and locked on hers. The heat in his gaze made her tense.
“Uh… I-I brought it from my old house,” she stammered.
Dante’s piercing expression softened slightly at her words. He gave a small nod of understanding.
The woman who had been standing beside her quietly left the room, closing the door behind her.
Anya exhaled deeply, relief flooding her chest. She had almost gotten caught—on her very first day back in the office.
“I’ll leave now?” she asked hesitantly and turned to go.
“Wait.”
His deep voice stopped her in her tracks. She turned back slowly, unsure if he was still unconvinced.
“I have a lunch meeting,” he said. “Come with me.”
Anya blinked in surprise, then smiled. “Sure.”
Food, and him. Two things she could never turn down, and enjoy any day.
The thought made her lips twitch in a quiet giggle.
***
They headed to a nearby hotel. Even though it was close, the area was luxurious, and the place was just as high-end.
By the time they arrived, most people were already seated in a meeting room. The table was packed, the atmosphere buzzing with quiet conversation. Anya followed Dante into the meeting room where influential men in suits turned to look at them.
She sat beside him, trying to calm her nerves. But to her surprise, the meeting wasn’t nearly as scary as she expected. Dante was calm and confident as he spoke—completely in control, effortlessly leading the discussion.